Shirley Jean Haywood

It is with deep love and heavy hearts to announce the passing of Shirley Haywood, 85, on November 14, 2025. Born February 3, 1940, in Westernport, MD, daughter of John Salesky and Florence (Montgomery) Salesky. She grew up in Westernport, MD, where she met the love of her life, Richard, with whom she shared a lifetime of adventure.

They moved to Laurel, MD where she worked for C&P Telephone, a Bell Atlantic Company, for over 30 years before retiring in 2000.

A woman of a deep and abiding faith, she was a longtime member of St. Mary of the Mills Church in Laurel, MD. She lived her beliefs with quiet strength and deep devotion, offering kindness to others in ways big and small.

A proud 1958 graduate of Bruce High School, she remained close with her classmates throughout her life, and she and Richard delighted in attending every reunion they could, celebrating lifelong friendships.

She especially loved college basketball and cheered faithfully for the University of Maryland Men’s and Women’s basketball teams.

She and Richard loved to travel. Together they explored more than twenty countries, often finding joy in the unexpected. On one unforgettable trip to Scotland, she even crossed paths with Queen Elizabeth in a small bookstore.

Her greatest joy was her family. She leaves behind her two daughters, Penny and Danielle, who will forever carry her love and example in their hearts; her cherished grandchildren, Michael, Joey, Elisabeth, Sam and Nick; and her sons-in-laws, Jerry Burke and Tommy Huber, whom she adored.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, mother, father, brothers Ralph, Don, Carl, William and sister, Mary.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary of the Mills Church in Laurel, MD on Friday, November 21, 2025 at 11:00am. Inurnment at the St. Mary of the Mills columbarium to follow the mass, with a repast afterwards in the Breen Room at St. Mary of the Mills Church.